Liverpool latest: Star's agent denies approach as club secures big cash injection

Despite a series of high-profile signings during the summer transfer window, Liverpool have yet to find their stride this season. However, manager Arne Slot insists his team are still unbeaten, with a flawless record in the Premier League, despite their performances leaving room for improvement.

The Reds had a close shave against Burnley, who maintained a solid defensive block throughout the match. Despite being favourites to win against the newly-promoted side, Liverpool relied on a late handball decision to clinch victory, with Mohamed Salah confidently converting the resulting penalty.

By his own standards, Salah has been off form and will be hoping for a turnaround in both his and Liverpool's fortunes. Post-match, captain Virgil van Dijk was asked about Liverpool's recent reliance on late goals. The totemic centre-back emphasised that it's their determination to secure three points that should be commended.

"Yeah, but that shows the mentality," he said. "Obviously no-one wants to find a way only in the last 10 minutes but it's about repeating the right patterns, keep going and create chances. There were not many clear-cut chances but obviously we didn't give anything away either, so we have to keep going and keep the belief, and I think we just did that."

The Anfield outfit played in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but now attentions turn to the Premier League, where they will be facing Everton on Saturday. Here's the latest news on the club, courtesy of the Daily Express.

Alvarez's agent speaks out on transfer rumours

Julian Alvarez's representative has confirmed that Liverpool did not make an approach for the Atletico Madrid forward during the summer transfer window. It was rumoured that the Reds were chasing the former Manchester City star at the start of the summer before shifting their focus to other targets.

Liverpool secured Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal that could reach £79million and the French striker has made a strong start to life at Anfield. The speculation linking Alvarez to Anfield came before the Reds' eventual signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a record-breaking fee of £125million.

Fernando Hidalgo, his agent, has addressed suggestions that Arne Slot's team were chasing his client. "There were no official offers from Liverpool to sign Julian last season, and everything that has been said in this regard is false," Hidalgo told Erem News.

"Last summer there were no offers because Atletico de Madrid didn't want to sell the player, so negotiations didn't take place."

Liverpool receive significant cash boost

Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are set to enjoy a slice of a whopping £259million windfall courtesy of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme. This scheme, linked with the 2026 World Cup, will see FIFA compensating clubs for releasing their players for World Cup qualifiers.

FIFA has significantly increased the cash injection associated with this initiative, up from the £153million available after the Qatar World Cup three years ago. Previously, only nations who reached the finals of that tournament were compensated, but the rules have changed this time.

In an effort to foster a more diverse global football system, FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes the project will pave the way for a "groundbreaking" 2026 World Cup.

"The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament," he declared.

"A record USD 355 million will be distributed to clubs for the release of their players, and this reinforces our solid collaboration with the European Club Association and clubs worldwide as we all look forward to a groundbreaking and globally inclusive edition of the FIFA World Cup next year."

According to FIFA statistics, England was the nation most compensated through the scheme in 2022, with a whopping £32.6million going to clubs. Spain, Germany, Italy and France were the other nations to significantly gain from it.

Trent Alexander-Arnold suffers devastating setback

Former Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been sidelined for six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during a Champions League match against Marseilles.

The 26 year old defender, who started for the Galacticos against the French side on Tuesday night, had to leave the pitch after just five minutes due to an injury to his left leg. He transferred to the Spanish club in June after his contract with Liverpool ended - Real Madrid actually paid the Merseyside team £10m to release him early.

He was not selected for the England squad for the upcoming matches against Andorra and Serbia. However, he is now a significant doubt for next month's international fixtures against Wales and Latvia.

Real Madrid are scheduled to play Liverpool in the Champions League on November 4, which means he could miss out on playing against his former team. It would be his first return to Anfield as a Real Madrid player.

Alexander-Arnold will also be racing against time to recover in time to face Barcelona on October 26. If he doesn't get any game time for England, his World Cup aspirations could be severely affected.

"Will be back as soon as possible stronger than before. See you soon Madridistas," Alexander-Arnold posted on social media. Real Madrid stated: "Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid medical services on our player, Trent Alexander-Arnold, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg. Further updates will follow."